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A Phoenix TV station taped tow truck operators pushing legally parked cars into tow zones and then holding them for ransom. Meanwhile, in Houston, tow truck drivers have to be licensed, and have to be separately licensed for the city's Safe Clear program, designed to get wrecked cars quickly off busy highways, and shuttle the drivers to safety. The City promised that all of the operators would undergo background checks. However, a TV station's study of the license holders showed that a third have criminal records, for such offenses as auto theft and murder. [Jack Chin]

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Horrible Houston Tow Truck Drivers: Today a coworker and I had gone to the nearby church during our lunch hour. On the way back to the car a tow truck cutting across and speeding through the church parking lot nearly ran us over, not even pausing at the corner where my coworker and I were crossing. He and I both had to literally dive out of the way in order to avoid being hit. He did not even apologize and only said, "oops, welI I did not see you," (we were right in front of him) before speeding off again! It is apparent to me that he (and those many like him) will continue to endanger the rest of us until someone does not have the ability to dive out of his way and is killed - and maybe not even then.
He had a car in tow, his license plate was almost completely obscured, there were no company logos, and there was a great deal of smoke emitting from his exhaust. We managed to get the following info before he sped off again leaving us in a cloud of fumes (and my colleague shouting all sorts of unholy obscenities at him):
Maroon colored F350 Diesel tow truck
License plate: TX T07-221
We called in to report the incident but were told that nothing could be done since the parking lot is private property without a speed limit & there were no bodies stuck to the grill. At the very least it was reckless endangerment and failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians! Are tow truck drivers not governed by the same laws as the rest of us? Do they legally have the right to nearly run people off the road, run red lights, drive over medians & go the wrong way down a street just to get to a fender bender where there are already 20 of those awful car vultures blocking the street!?! I just don't understand: if somebody shoots at someone and misses, it is still attempted manslaughter; if a driver nearly kills 2 people, with a big truck while driving recklessly through a church parking lot, no less... Nothing!?! Needless to say, I am beyond furious and don't know where to turn for justice.

Posted by: KM | Jan 25, 2006 5:37:48 PM

Please don't think all tow truck drivers are like that!! You and your friend ran into one of the few who give tow truck drivers a bad name and image. I am a tow truck driver and I have had to deal with my fair share of people who think we are nothing but a bunch of dumb, greasy rednecks. No, tow truck drivers are not allowed to speed, run red lights and stop signs, or run people off the road. Yes, when told to do so by law enforcement we will drive the wrong way down the road to get to an accident. Please understand that you only ran into a bad apple and that most tow truck drivers are very polite and safe. As far as your incident, I would suggest that you contact your local highway patrol office. In most states the highway patrol or state police goven tow truck companies.

I hope this helps and I hope that your next run in with a tow truck is a pleasent one.

Posted by: Caleb | Feb 22, 2006 12:50:01 PM

Please don't think all tow truck drivers are like that!! You and your friend ran into one of the few who give tow truck drivers a bad name and image. I am a tow truck driver and I have had to deal with my fair share of people who think we are nothing but a bunch of dumb, greasy rednecks. No, tow truck drivers are not allowed to speed, run red lights and stop signs, or run people off the road. Yes, when told to do so by law enforcement we will drive the wrong way down the road to get to an accident. Please understand that you only ran into a bad apple and that most tow truck drivers are very polite and safe. As far as your incident, I would suggest that you contact your local highway patrol office. In most states the highway patrol or state police goven tow truck companies.

I hope this helps and I hope that your next run in with a tow truck is a pleasent one.

Question do tow truck drivers have a list of license plate numbers or vin numbers for which they look for to repo vechiles and if so how can one get a copy of the list.

Thanks
Kat

Posted by: Kat Waller | Mar 12, 2006 2:35:14 PM

I drive a tow truck also and kind of agree with the other tow truck driver. But I disagree that the driver you ran in to was rare. I think that is the norm. Bandit trucks with no logos are usually the repo guys.
You usually get a list everyday that has the repo orders and all the info that they have on where to find the vehicle. You get this list from each account and then cruise the locations and try to find the vehicle. I would imagine it impossible for anybody but the company doing the repossesion to get the list.

Posted by: Art | Oct 4, 2006 9:05:31 PM

Only the bailiff is able to hold that info. He is by law not able to show the list to you. Sorry
Bialiff in Canada

Posted by: KEN | Dec 11, 2006 8:32:01 AM

As a Tow company owner, I am well a where of misconduct and illegal practices of some Tow companies. What I hate is the misconception that all Tow companies are the same. We represent an industry like any other business, there are good and bad. I have been in the business for over 25 years and have had three complaints to the Better Business Bureau, all of which were resolved.
I work closely with our state, county and local police departments, the reputation of my company is impeccable. I cannot tolerate other Tow companies that make our industry look bad or defame what the legitimate ones have worked so hard to obtain.
One of my greatest tools has been a vehicle management, tracking & anti-theft system I installed in all company and my personal vehicles. It is called the Millennium Plus; this is the latest technology available. With it, I can locate any or all trucks at the push of a button, if one of my drivers is late, leave a predefined area or exceed a preset speed limit the device will call me. It has been the best purchase I ever made and has saved countless man-hours and fuel do to employee misuse. It can also protect your trucks from theft. If you do not own this system, you should look in to one. I got it through www.findvehicle.net I understand it is now available to the public as well.
Big K Towing